​”32Now while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the sabbath day. 33Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation; 34and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him. 35Then the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36So all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.” Numbers 15

There are a few examples in the Bible of this kind of extreme justice being meted out against those who sinned. When Achan stole the gold after the fall of Jericho, he and his family were burned in the fire. When Nadab and Abihu brought strange fire into the tabernacle they were burned with fire. When the nation of Israel grumbled, God sent venomous snakes that killed many, Num. 21:5-6. In the New Testament, when Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit about how much they sold their property for, God killed them on the spot. These were extreme examples of God’s justice which made the people to see how serious it is to go against the command of God.

“And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.” Acts 5:11

When we learn how serious God is that His people be holy and sanctified, which the Biblical examples above show, we strive to do what He says and avoid sin. And if today we do not see or recognize this immediate justice from God it does not mean justice isn’t being meted out. Know for sure that God does not overlook sin and every sin has its recompense, Heb. 2:2. So with faith, let us strive to please God because God is still very serious about sin.

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